Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-05
THE SEMINOLE REMNANT.
How the Last of the Tribe Cling TO
Their Florida Homes.
From tie PGlatka Fla.) Herald.

From tie PGldtka Fld.) Herdld.
Only few weeks ago the columns of
some influential journals in the State
were filled with sensational apprehen-
sions OF evil to be dreaded from the Semi
mole still in South Florida. We immedi-
ately published, from personal kpowl-
edge, statements OF their condition which
we thought justified our authorities in
Diminishing all fear on this account, save
that OF intllCting wrong. We gave also
letter from one who had been with them
in their native Businesses, had sat around
their camp fires, and knew something OF
their opinions and notions. Since then
we have gained information from other
trustworthy sources which brings before
us still more strongly their present hap
less condition and their still more misera-
BILE future. There has been no ground for
fears on their account of late years, but
there is much to call for the Immediate
interference of the powers that be for
their better protection or early removal.
lthas been stated by writers who knew
nothing on the subject, that they were in-
furiated 10 madness-that they had al
ready dug up the Ratchet with all the Ger
emonies practiced in happier days-tbat
they could "bring into the field thous-
and warriors" Never did ignorance
not even hatchets for daily need. much
less 10 bury or dig up, and all the males.
young and old, of all their tribes in all
Florida. would not numb L POO. They are
not the proud remnant OF powerful peO-
pie, cherishing sweet memories Of past
glory and power, as some would have us
believe, but the weak families OF beaten
clans, without knowledge OF past, hope
Tor the future, or reasonable care for the
a Irfx md
They live as does the alligator, and wish
for less comfort than the bear provides tor
himself in a hollow tree or hole in the
ground. True, they are descended from
the ChickasawS whom the soldiers OF m
perial Spain recognized as 1.-THE braVest
5arbarians of the whole wOrld''-0r from
the Cher0kees, the most enlightened,
thoughtful and prOvident OF all the red
men or from the MuscOgees, who con-
frOnted our Union of states with tribal
coniederacy equally free, equally resO-
Int, and equally faithful to each otner
jackson recognized in Weatherford foe
worthy OF his steel on the war path and
worthy of his friendship in peace. But
ignorance and isolation in gloomy
swamps, and supersttiOus fear, aud bit
ter poverty have LETT little of nobility in
the children of the old forest kings, save
one trait ingrained IN the depths OF the
Teu man HedTt-buey are now 100 cow
ardly 10 resent an injury, bat they are
stIll faithful to each other, and still crate
full TO their friends.
The poor creatures, whose fathers we
despoled OF the richest heritage under
heaven, Turk trembling in Jlelr Shiny
Businesses. They do not dare resist the
attacks OF the white man on their scanty
flocks and herds. They would beg, as the
greatest boon possible, the liberty of dy-
ing peacea6ly In their wretchedless, aud
OF being forgotten before they are dead.
Even tnIs may not be; their lands are
now on the market, and they must 90.
Let them at least 20 formally; let them be
removed by authority, and let not judge
Lynch fOreclOse the bond which is already
upon their posse slons.
" bat a commentary on the philanthropy
which sends fianntls to Africa aud Bibles
to the banks OF the Ganges! Were they
unable 10 appreciate kindness: Yet the
CherOkees made tor themselves written
characters aud literature; the Alabamas
were as tenacious Of their genealogical
records and family histories 90 the Jews;
the Cbickasaws were brave and generous
the Muscogees organized "a powerful cou-
federacy of free states, had a Congress
and q regular succession of officials with
fixed powers aud jurisdiction. The de.
scendants of these tribes now hide tremb-
! bling in the marshes OF the Everglades
and wage Intellectual war with other
deniZens OF these dismal shades, less
happy indeed because they dread the
hand of the Christian.